Cytomegalovirus Infection in Patients With HIV-1 Infection

T cell activation plays a central role in HIV pathogenesis and is highly correlated to disease progression even in HIV patients virosuppressed on combined antiretroviral therapy since years. The mechanisms underlying this activation in virosuppressed patients are poorly understood. Identifying some factors involved in immune activation that can be targeted by therapies could optimize the treatment of HIV patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of CD4 and CD8 T cell activation in an observational cohort study of HIV-1 patients, virosuppressed on combined antiretroviral therapy (< 50 copies/ml) for at least 2 years and to focus on two factors that could participate in this activation: cytomégalovirus infection and auto-immune disorders.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients included in the Aquitaine ANRS CO3 cohort aged 18 years or older (confirmed HIV-1 infection and at least one follow-up in the cohort),
• plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies / ml for at least 24 months under a highly active antiretroviral combination (treatment comprising at least 3 antiretroviral drugs) modified or initiated between 2005 and 2008,
• Follow-up in one of the departments of Bordeaux University Hospital or Libourne Hospital,
• Free, informed and written consent, signed by the patient and the investigator (Consent of the Aquitaine CO3 Cohort and linked to this specific study).

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of 2 consecutive measurements of HIV RNA> 50 copies / ml,
• History of immunotherapy treatments (interleukin-2),
• Hepatitis B or C co-infections,
• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Symptomatic infectious episode in progress.